I’m an introvert. Many of you probably already knew this. It’s not hard to figure out from my lack of “partying” posts and all the time I spend reading (and blogging, too). I know those of you who know me in real life know this.
As an introvert I need time alone. Nothing wrong with this…it’s the way that God made me. Spending time with people is draining, and I’ve got to re-charge in a dark, quiet room, usually with a good book or an episode of Glee or any NCIS or CSI.
But as a sinful introvert, I crave time alone and overindulge. As a part of my church’s How People Change class (great book…definitely recommend it!), we’re required to work on something in our life that needs changing for our Personal Growth Project.
At the encouragement of my extremely-extroverted future roommate (Jen), I agreed that my escapist tendencies (and the sinful underlying desires and motives) needed to be the subject of my project.
Friday was a peaceful day at the office. The storm was over. This should have been a relaxing day, but I found that I was rather miserable. Why? I didn’t take too much time to investigate the inner workings of me, as I realized I had spent the whole week focused INWARD. Solution? Turning my focus outwards.
This past weekend I had several social opportunities that I had initially dismissed as they weren’t “my thing.” Once I chose this project, I quickly committed to them, and told Jen so that she’d hold me accountable.
You know what? It wasn’t so bad. While I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed every minute of those social events, I didn’t despise them. Uncomfortable moments came…and passed. I even added in some impromptu hangout time with roommates past, present, and future (to their great surprise).
The great thing was that it wasn’t even draining. Yes, I was tired at the end of the weekend, but no more than I would after any normal day. Though my feelings don’t rule me, I did feel better Sunday night after spending all weekend with people than I did Friday afternoon after spending the day alone. God indeed gives grace for the tasks He gives me.
Photo by foreverdigital
I like that you told someone so that you would be accountable. I think that was a good call on your part. I’m so glad you enjoyed yourself for the most part. If God desires this change for you, He will surely bless your efforts!
Have a great week Ronnica.
I think this is a great thing for you to focus on! And, like most things we try, they are hard in the beginning but get better with practice. Socializing is no different. It will be easier and less uncomfortable the more you do it, and you may even find that there is eventually more comfort in it than being alone!
It will also give you a bigger network and maybe even make you more approachable – which may, in turn, help with other aspects of your life (ahem, husband hunting :-))
Oh good, living with Jen could in some ways prepare you for marriage! Ted is introverted and I am SO the opposite! Makes for an interesting combination. Pray for an extroverted husband, Ronnica. You will need each other to bring balance to the relationship!
Jennifer: If I hadn’t told her I KNOW I would have backed out. It’s too easy to break a commitment to myself when I don’t really want to keep it in the first place.
Liz: I DO hope it gets easier. Couldn’t hurt, right? While husband-hunting isn’t my primary motivation for working on this, I know that it will help.
Cheryl: So true! That would be good…I need a man who can draw me out.
Good for you!! I think we all need to pick little projects to focus on to better ourselves. It sounds like you are making great progress towards being more social! :)
Good for you for stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s something we should all do from time to time.
That’s awesome! I’m glad you got out there and socialized a bit. I usually always choose to stay home too but every once in a while I decide to indulge myself in these social opportunities and I’m often glad that I did.
I am a strange mix of introvert and extrovert. Just depends on my mood sometimes.
I’m glad to find another Gleek! My husband and daughter make fun of me (and the other 3 probably would too if they were old enough to) because it is the one show I can’t miss.
I think it’s awesome that introverts like you can still “get out there” through blogging. You’re definitely not a blogtrovert, if that’s a word!
It’s refreshing to meet another blogger who is an introvert! The world seems to belong to extroverts. There’s nothing wrong with either, just saying….I can relate to this post so well.
I am an introvert, too. I would prefer just to stay home and do anything. Unless my BFF wants to get together, and then I’ll go with her. As for group things, I don’t feel entirely comfortable. I wonder who I’ll sit next to and how much conversation I will have to make. But then again, if everyone was going and didn’t include me, I would feel left out and hurt. So… go figure. :/
I’m an introvert too. Luckily my husband is not and so I’m forced to socialize more than I would on my own.
I think you’re right. God definitely helps us when we’re working on something he wants for us.
TJ: Yeah, your boys definitely would make fun of you if they only understood! They’re missing out though…so funny!
Mrs Mouthy: Definitely not! Yeah, putting myself out there with the blog is NOT something I struggle with.
Carol: That’s what I need…someone to make me do it, and to hold my hand while doing it. =)
Practice for the future ;)
Vicki: I’m trying. =)
Good for you! It never hurts to try something new…you never know if you will enjoy it until you try it.
Betty: True, true. And I’ve realized that I’ve enjoyed it, thus far.
I liked this one. I quite often describe myself as an introverted extrovert on bad days — an extroverted introvert on good days, ha! But my Dear Hubby of 36 years tells me I don’t have a shy bone in my body. He says I could carry on a conversation with a rock if I didn’t have a real person handy. Even so, I CRAVE alone time. I LOVE alone time. I have practically NO alone time. At least at this stage of life taking care of my little grandsons during the work week. This too shall pass, I know, and someday I’ll sit around twiddling my thumbs trying to figure out what to do with all my alone time.